Note: Virginia "Ginny" Carew, age 82, went to meet her Lord on Thursday, July 8, 2010, surrounded by her family. She was born in Appleton on August 17, 1927, to Frank and Lorraine Schrimpf. Other than a brief time in Rock Island, Illinois, Ginny lived her whole life in Appleton, graduating from Appleton West in 1945. After one year at UW-Madison, she graduated from UW-Stout in Home Economics in 1949. Her first teaching job was in Fond du Lac.

Shortly after beginning her teaching career she married the love of her life, Bob Carew, to whom she was married for forty years. They had five children: Lynn (Dee) Dyer, Bruce (Kris) Carew, Mary Carew (fiance Ron Kitzinger); Amy (Mark) Waltz, and David (Lisa) Carew. Mom treated each of us as if we were her favorite, especially David. There are nine grandchildren: Andrew and Adam (Juliana) Dyer, Kevin (fiancee Heather) and Keith Carew, Megan and Jennifer Waltz, Kelsey, Katie and Matthew Carew; and one great-granddaughter, Raylee Dyer. She is further survived by her brother and sister-in-law: Bob and Shirley Schrimpf; a sister, Tootie Carew; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gary and Ruth Carew, Kay Abel, and Harry Hermans; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Ginny loved being part of the Xavier High School community, where she taught in the Family and Consumer Education Department for twenty-seven years. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher, who spent her life listening, instructing, encouraging, and guiding her family and students.

A celebration of Ginny's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2010 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence Street in Appleton, with Fr. Larry Abler, OFM Cap. officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again at the church on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service. A memorial fund is being established.

Thank you to the dear staff at Renaissance Assisted Living, who made one of mom's last wishes come true. They worked tirelessly with the wonderful team at Theda Care At Home Hospice to make it possible for her to remain in her own little apartment and in her own bed until the Lord called her home. A special thank you to our friend, Wally, who faithfully visited Mom every day, making her smile and sometimes grumble if he talked during a Packer or Brewer game.

Biography

Mary went home on October 3, 2017. She is survived by her loving Ron, her two brothers: Bruce and Kris, David and Lisa; and two sisters: Amy and Mark Waltz, and Lynn and Dee Dyer; her treasured nieces and nephews and their growing families. In addition, Mary was devoted to and loved by Ron's family.

Her life was spent loving and caring for all of us, from her early morning texts and phone calls to her sports updates in the evening. Mary's kindness was her full-time occupation. Her treasured friendships gave her life such joy.

She loved you all very much.

Mass of Christian burial for Mary will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday October 6, 2017 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton, with Fr. Jim Leary OFM Cap. officiating. Visitation will be at the church Friday morning beginning at 9:00 until 10:15 AM, with Mass to follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.